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3 changes: 1 addition & 2 deletions content/manuals/admin/organization/manage-products.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -106,8 +106,7 @@ select **Account**.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Docker Offload isn't included in the core Docker subscription plans. To make Docker Offload available, you must [sign
> up](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-offload/) and subscribe.
> Docker Offload isn't included in the core Docker subscription plans. To make Docker Offload available, you must [contact sales](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-offload/) and subscribe.

To manage Docker Offload access for your organization, use [Settings
Management](/manuals/enterprise/security/hardened-desktop/settings-management/_index.md):
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5 changes: 3 additions & 2 deletions content/manuals/desktop/setup/vm-vdi.md
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Expand Up @@ -35,8 +35,9 @@ Docker Desktop via an SSH tunnel. Despite running remotely, features like bind
mounts and port forwarding continue to work seamlessly, providing a local-like
experience. To use Docker Offload:

To get started using Docker Offload, see the [Docker Offload
quickstart](/offload/quickstart/).
For more information, see the [Docker Offload product
page](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-offload/) and the [Docker Offload
documentation](/offload/).

## Virtual desktop support when using nested virtualization

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7 changes: 2 additions & 5 deletions content/manuals/offload/_index.md
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@@ -1,14 +1,11 @@
---
title: Docker Offload
weight: 15
description: Find documentation on Docker Offload to help you build and run your container images faster, both locally and in CI
description: Find documentation on Docker Offload to help you offload containers to the cloud.
keywords: build, cloud, cloud build, remote builder
params:
sidebar:
group: Products
badge:
color: violet
text: Early Access

grid:

Expand All @@ -23,7 +20,7 @@ grid:
link: /offload/about/

- title: Configure
description: Set up and customize your cloud build environments.
description: Configure Docker Offload settings for your organization and Docker Desktop.
icon: tune
link: /offload/configuration/

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65 changes: 39 additions & 26 deletions content/manuals/offload/about.md
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Expand Up @@ -6,15 +6,15 @@ description: Learn about Docker Offload, its features, and how it works.
keywords: cloud, offload, vdi
---

{{< summary-bar feature_name="Docker Offload" >}}

Docker Offload is a fully managed service for building and running containers in
the cloud using the Docker tools you already know, including Docker Desktop, the
Docker CLI, and Docker Compose. It extends your local development workflow into a
scalable, cloud-powered environment, enabling developers to work efficiently even
in virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environments or systems that don't support
nested virtualization.



## Key features

Docker Offload includes the following capabilities to support modern container
Expand All @@ -28,24 +28,11 @@ workflows:
environments with support for secure secrets and image pulling.
- Port forwarding and bind mounts: Retain a local development experience even
when running containers in the cloud.
- VDI-friendly: [Use Docker Desktop](../desktop/setup/vm-vdi.md) in virtual desktop environments or systems that
don't support nested virtualization.

## Why use Docker Offload?

Docker Offload is designed to support modern development teams working across
local and cloud environments. It helps you:

- Offload heavy builds and runs to fast, scalable infrastructure
- Run containers that require more resources than your local setup can provide
- Use Docker Compose to manage complex, multi-service apps that need cloud
resources
- Maintain consistent environments without managing custom infrastructure
- Develop efficiently in restricted or low-powered environments like VDIs
- VDI-friendly: [Use Docker Desktop](../desktop/setup/vm-vdi.md) in virtual
desktop environments or systems that don't support nested virtualization.

Docker Offload is ideal for high-velocity development workflows
that need the flexibility of the cloud without sacrificing the simplicity of
local tools.
For more information, see the [Docker Offload product
page](https://www.docker.com/products/docker-offload/).

## How Docker Offload works

Expand All @@ -54,15 +41,15 @@ Docker Desktop to secure, dedicated cloud resources.

### Running containers with Docker Offload

When you use Docker Offload to build or run containers, a Docker Desktop creates a secure
When you use Docker Offload to build or run containers, Docker Desktop creates a secure
SSH tunnel to a Docker daemon running in the cloud. Your containers are started
and managed entirely in that remote environment.

Here's what happens:

1. Docker Desktop connects to the cloud and triggers container creation.
2. Docker Offload builds or pulls the required images and starts containers in the cloud.
3. The connection stays open while the containers run.
3. The connection stays open while the containers run and you remain active.
4. When the containers stop running, the environment shuts down and is cleaned
up automatically.

Expand All @@ -76,11 +63,37 @@ Despite running remotely, features like bind mounts and port forwarding continue
to work seamlessly, providing a local-like experience from within Docker Desktop
and the CLI.

Docker Offload automatically transitions between active and idle states based on
usage. You're only charged when actively building or running containers. When
idle for more than 5 minutes, the session ends and resources are cleaned up. For
details about how this works and how to configure idle timeout, see [Active and
idle states](configuration.md#understand-active-and-idle-states).
### Cloud resources

Docker Offload uses cloud hosts with 4 vCPUs and 8 GiB of memory. If you have
different requirements, [contact
Docker](https://www.docker.com/pricing/contact-sales/) to explore options.

### Session management and idle state

To ensure fair access to cloud resources for all users, Docker Offload
implements session management with idle state policies.

Here's how session management works:

1. You start a new Docker Offload session. You can only have one session active
at a time.
2. You receive periodic prompts (every 3 hours) in the Docker Desktop Dashboard
to determine if you are still active. When the prompt appears, your state
becomes idle (lasting up to 5 minutes). In the idle state, the remote
connection is suspended and containers stop running.
3. In the idle state, you can choose to:
- Do nothing or select **Cancel** in the prompt. Docker Offload remains in
the idle state.
- Select **Resume** in the prompt within 5 minutes. Your session becomes
active again with all containers, images, and volumes preserved. Return to
step 2.
4. If the idle period exceeds 5 minutes, the session ends and any containers,
images, or volumes are deleted. Return to step 1 for a new clean session.
5. After 8 hours from the start of your session, you will receive a prompt in
the Docker Desktop Dashboard to extend your session. At this time, you can
extend your session. If you do not extend your session, it ends and any
containers, images, or volumes are deleted.

## What's next

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66 changes: 11 additions & 55 deletions content/manuals/offload/configuration.md
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Expand Up @@ -8,69 +8,25 @@ keywords: cloud, configuration, settings, offload

{{< summary-bar feature_name="Docker Offload" >}}

You can configure Docker Offload settings at different levels depending on your role. Organization owners can manage
settings for all users in their organization, while individual developers can configure their own Docker Desktop
You can configure Docker Offload settings at different levels depending on your
role. Organization owners can manage settings for all users in their
organization, while individual developers can configure their own Docker Desktop
settings when allowed by their organization.

## Manage settings for your organization

For organization owners, you can manage Docker Offload settings for all users in your organization. For more details,
see [Manage Docker products](../admin/organization/manage-products.md). To view usage and configure billing for Docker
Offload, see [Docker Offload usage and billing](/offload/usage/).
For organization owners, you can manage Docker Offload settings for all users in
your organization. For more details, see [Manage Docker
products](../admin/organization/manage-products.md). To view usage and configure
billing for Docker Offload, see [Docker Offload usage and
billing](/offload/usage/).

## Configure settings in Docker Desktop

For developers, you can manage Docker Offload settings in Docker Desktop. To manage settings:
For developers, you can enable or disable Docker Offload in Docker Desktop if
allowed by your organization. To manage this setting:

1. Open the Docker Desktop Dashboard and sign in.
2. Select the settings icon in the Docker Desktop Dashboard header.
3. In **Settings**, select **Docker Offload**.

Here you can:

- Toggle **Enable Docker Offload**. When enabled, you can start Offload sessions.
- Select **Idle timeout**. This is the duration of time between no activity and Docker Offload entering idle mode.
For details about idle timeout, see [Understand active and idle states](#understand-active-and-idle-states).

### Understand active and idle states

Docker Offload automatically transitions between active and idle states to help
you control costs while maintaining a seamless development experience.

#### When your session is active

Your Docker Offload environment is active when you're building images, running
containers, or actively interacting with them, such as viewing logs or
maintaining an open network connection. During active state:

- Usage is charged
- A remote Docker Engine is connected to your local machine
- All container operations execute in the cloud environment

#### When your session is idle

When there's no activity, Docker Offload transitions to idle state. During idle
state:

- You are not charged for usage
- The remote connection is suspended
- No containers are running in the cloud

The idle transition delay can be configured in Docker Desktop settings, ranging
from 10 seconds to 1 hour. This setting determines how long Docker Offload
waits after detecting inactivity before transitioning to idle state.

#### How your session is preserved

If your session has been idle for less than 5 minutes and you resume activity,
your previous containers and images are preserved and remain available. This
allows you to pick up right where you left off.

However, if the idle period exceeds 5 minutes, a new session starts with a
clean environment and any containers, images, or volumes from the previous
session are deleted.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Transitioning from active to idle and back to active within 5 minutes will be
> charged as continuous usage.
4. Toggle **Enable Docker Offload**. When enabled, you can start Offload sessions.
1 change: 0 additions & 1 deletion content/manuals/offload/feedback.md
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Expand Up @@ -5,7 +5,6 @@ title: Give feedback
weight: 900
---


There are several ways you can provide feedback on Docker Offload.

## Quick survey
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